SXSW (South by Southwest), probably the largest hybrid festival in North America, will be in full swing next week. Whether attendees show up for the music, the latest innovations in tech and design or the eagerly anticipated independent films, chances are you’ll be standing shoulder-to-shoulder next to a journalist or internet blogger. Heck, you might even be that internet blogger. Coverage is not limited to just writing a piece. Photography, sometimes even video, is required to fully engage an audience of readers. So for those uninitiated, what are the best, most affordable and easy-to-use cameras out there for bloggers?
Well… that depends.
It depends on how frequently you plan to capture imagery, it depends on your skill set as a photographer and it depends on how much use you’ll actually get out of your gear outside of covering the festival. Regardless of being an amateur or pro, there is one constant that should be required above all else and that is ease of connectivity from the camera to your blog or website. And unless you consider yourself a professional photographer or photojournalist, weight and ease of use may be key. After all, it can be a serious pain to carry a heavy DSLR along with lenses, batteries and additional accessories when you’re on your feet covering a festival all day.
For some the obvious solution is to use a smartphone. Simply because the images captured are directly stored in a device with immediate access to social platforms. Also, great strides have been made with cell phone camera technology. So if you own an iPhone 6 for example, you already have a pretty effective camera right there. The problem with this kind of option is that without a particular app or knowledge beyond that of being a point-swipe-then-shoot amateur, smartphone (and tablet) cams are fairly limited in terms of function. Using SXSW as an example, you’d be hard pressed to come up with a vibrant photograph of the latest Alt-Rock act under low light conditions with just a smartphone.
So here are some gear recommendations that not only supply the functionality you need without sacrificing the quality of the image, but offer practicality and affordability as well:
1. For those who already own a DSLR that is not Wi-Fi enabled: Eye-Fi Memory Card ($19.99 – $94.99 depending on storage size)
If you already own a DSLR and are happy with the images it takes, then you should look into the option of purchasing a Wi-Fi card like Eye-Fi’s range of Mobi products. Although the prices vary depending on the size of the card (there are 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB options available), they easily slip into the SD slot of your camera (for CF card users, Eye-Fi also sells a CF to SD adapter). Not only do these cards store your images, they can wirelessly transfer your photos to any smartphone, tablet and laptop.
2. For those who pack lightly but need something more versatile than a smartphone: DxO ONE ($464.00)
Whether you’re a recreational photographer or don’t plan to take an excessive amount of images, sometimes a smart phone is good enough to do the trick. But you might also want to take a rapid succession of images plus enjoy wide angle and variable zoom functions at the press of a fingertip. But even the smallest compact camera might be too bulky to store in one’s pocket along with a phone, SD card, etc. So the happy medium would be DxO Labs’ DxO ONE camera. Resembling a hard drive that’s barely larger than your thumb, it easily attaches to your iPhone or Android device and takes stunning photographs with the functionality of a DSLR. And thanks to a recent firmware update, you can do all of this with one hand. Also, you’ll have instant access to social apps and blogging tools already stored in your smart phone or tablet.
3. Affordable compact point-and-shoot with Wi-Fi part 1: Canon PowerShot SX710 HS ($299.00) 
While the DxO ONE is an awesome option for the blogger who wants to carry around less weight, it might be a tad pricey at almost $460. While a compact camera is bulky enough, it might be worth dealing with the lack of pocket space for something more affordable. For example, Canon’s PowerShot SX710 is small enough to slip into your pocket and almost $200 less than the DxO ONE. Its 30X optical zoom lens allows for a pretty large focal range. It can also record 1080p HD video up to 60 fps (for those of you who’d like to capture that guitar solo in slow motion). The burst mode lasts longer than most compact cameras: over several seconds. Most importantly: Wi-Fi and NFC wireless connectivity.
4. Affordable compact point-and-shoot with Wi-Fi part 2: Fujifilm XQ2 ($299.00)
The eagerly anticipated XQ2 has already been winning rave reviews for its 2/3-inch image sensor and excellent LED screen. Gadget Review already lists this as the Best Compact Digital Camera under $300. Not only does it allow for one-touch wireless transfer, you can browse through then select images directly from your smartphone.
5. Affordable compact point-and-shoot with Wi-Fi part 3: Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 ($279.00)
We included this camera because of its durability. Waterproof up to depths of 50ft, the ultra-wide angle lens is great for capturing the crowds at an outdoor concert or the long lines of willing audience members waiting to see a festival screening. The TG-860 has built-in Wi-Fi and enhanced GPS options. And… you’ll want to take advantage of its Sportscam Mode allowing for slow motion at full HD and Sport Burst Mode for fast, sequential shooting.
6. For those shooting an on-camera interview with just your iPad or Tablet: Padcaster Mini Aluminum Frame and Padcaster Bundle for iPad Air 2 ($98.95 and $399.00 respectively)
One aspect of blogging we haven’t even touched upon yet involves the increased popularity of on-camera coverage, be it a celebrity interview or an on-site podcast. And tablet devices (what with the ability to shoot photo and video) are appearing with more frequency thanks to their ability to multitask as a camera and laptop publisher with the internet access to match. A festival like SXSW hosts tons of opportunities in this regard, ergo it stands to reason that companies like Padcaster will take advantage of this growing trend. Padcaster’s accessories allows a blogger to affix a tablet device to a tripod while offering additional placement for items like microphones, wireless receivers and separate lens attachments. It’s like having an all-in-one, really affordable ENG kit.
